The Osier Grove in Celarda

This biotope does not need to be presented, since it is already a nature reserve with specific management purposes. It covers a total of 92 ha, is managed by the former A.S.F.D., and protected according to what established by the Ramsar Convention. It is situated on the right bank of the river Piave, immediately downstream the confluence with Caorame. The area is characterized by the presence of wetlands, with stagnant and running water, riparian woods, meadows, and shrub formations.

Municipality/ies: Feltre

Access: from the town of Celarda

Difficulty reaching and moving about in the area: The biotope is easily accessible, also because there are adequate signals along the roads. In the Reserve there are many itineraries developing on flat grounds.

Floristic-vegetation featuresThe most interesting section is represented by the banks of Rio Celarda up to the confluence with the river Piave, including not only wetlands, but also the sandy-gravelly flooded areas housing a characteristic gravelly shore xerophile vegetation, with common sea-buckthorn formations, presence of Myricaria germanica, and several mountain and pre-alpine species. Also the riparian wood, in the past subject to not always adequate cultivation treatments, is now successfully developing with mixed strips of speckled and black alder. From a floristic point of view, the most curious features can be found outside the protected area, in the section known as "Fontane". Despite measures that have damaged its integrity (the area has been interested by the buildings of infrastructures serving the industrial area of Villapaiera), it still houses very rare species, like some Potamogeton (the only stations in the Province of Belluno) and Scrophularia umbrosa. The hygrophilous shrub formation consisting of Salix cinerea and Frangula alnus is also developing, offering interesting shelters to the wildlife populating the adjacent wet meadows (with the rare Gentiana pneumonanthe). Some unsuccessful attempts to cultivate corn have further reduced the surface area of the most interesting wetland. On the contrary, hedges and wet small woods (stations of Ranunculus auricomus) can still be found, although weeds are increasing because of the abandonment of meadow cutting.

Wildlife featuresThe biotope is known for the quality of the bird populations characterizing it, linked to wetlands. Among the various species, the Gray Heron, the Mallard, the Moorhen, the Kingfisher are worth a mention. Further birds populating the area are the Black Kite, the Whitethroat, and the Nightingale. The mammals are represented by several species including the roe deer and the common hare. Amphibians and reptiles are characteristic of the river environment (edible frog, dice snake, etc.) and of the countryside (yellow-bellied toad, Aesculapian snake, whip snake, etc.).

Further featuresIn the Reserve there are wildlife areas where it is possible to observe ungulates in a semi-wild state, an interesting visitor center, a manège, and a beehive.